The Draft

"[Mara] details the personalities and complications that go into every draft decision, making for good reading and good drama." —John Clayton, NFL analyst and ESPN senior writer. It's draft time in the National Football League. For most high-ranking team executives, this means endless days of high-stakes negotiations. But for Baltimore Ravens General Manager Jon Sabino—who has two consecutive Super Bowl victories under his belt—hiring new talent is the last thing on his mind . . . until his star quarterback gets into a car accident that leaves him unable to play. With his eyes on an unprecedented third Lombardi Trophy, Sabino sees only one option: acquiring guaranteed first pick Christian McKinley, the quarterback phenom from Michigan. But at what price? The San Diego Chargers, who presently hold that pick, are not interested in McKinley—so they'll offer it to the highest bidder. Now Sabino must jump into a cut-throat competition in which old friends become mortal enemies, and no one—not even your allies—can be trusted. The "McKinley Sweepstakes" could very well be the make-or-break moment of Sabino's career, and the fork in the road that leads him and his team either into the history books—or to the tepid hell of mediocrity . . . "A fascinating novel about what can go on behind the scenes in an NFL front office—the intrigue and maneuvering. It is terrific reading for the fan who wonders how these trades and deals are made" —Ernie Accorsi, general manager of the New York Giants